Purge News

MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2017 – If you're constipated, try grabbing a small footstool before you plunk yourself down on the potty, a new study suggests. Most Westerners sit down on the proverbial throne the way they would sit on a chair, but a novel leg-lifting device offers an option that seems to encourage good bowel movements, researchers report. The footstool helps sitters assume a squat-like ...

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2017 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of numerous liquid pharmaceutical products because of possible bacterial contamination that could cause severe infections in vulnerable patients. The drugs and dietary supplements, made by PharmaTech LLC in Davie, Fla., include liquid stool softeners, liquid vitamin D drops and liquid multivitamins marketed ...

-- Many lifestyle factors – such as diet, exercise and fluid intake – are associated with constipation. To help tame the problem, the Cleveland Clinic recommends: Drink two-to-four cups of water daily. Also drink warm liquids, particularly in the morning. Eat plenty of fruit (such as prunes) and vegetables. Eat bran cereals. Take a fiber supplement. Get regular exercise. Use a mild stool ...

-- Laxatives can have unpleasant side effects, especially when overused. The American Academy of Family Physicians says possible problems associated with laxative use include: Abdominal cramps or nausea. Gas, diarrhea or bloating. Electrolyte imbalance, which can affect the muscles, nerves and organs. Those most at risk include children and people with kidney disease or diabetes. Muscle weakness ...

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 8, 2014 – A new study suggests that the type of laxative a person takes might be a factor in their odds for colon cancer. The research indicates that fiber-based laxatives are associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, while non-fiber laxatives are linked with a higher risk. The study could only show an association between laxative types and colon cancer risk, it could ...

MONDAY, Jan. 28 – Some treatments are more effective than others for relieving constipation in seniors, according to a new review. And laxatives aren't always enough, researchers say. Constipation is common in seniors and can have serious health consequences and affect quality of life. Excessive straining in frail elderly people can cause them to faint and put them at risk of injury or falling, ...

-- Laxatives are medications usually purchased over-the-counter to help treat constipation. The American Academy of Family Physicians says side effects are rare if laxatives are taken as their labels direct, but sometimes they can trigger: Diarrhea. Nausea. Cramps. Gas. Bloating.